The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Baseball Holds 2003 Media Day Thursday For Upcoming Season
2/6/2003 12:00:00β―AM | Baseball
Feb. 6, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB Baseball held its media day Thursday at Young Memorial Field in preparation for the upcoming season. The Blazers open at Alabama State Tuesday at 1 p.m., with the home opener coming Friday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.
UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso said the team is ready to get the season underway.
"We are real excited about getting the season started," said Giangrosso. "Any time a new season rolls around, you are always excited. Our players are ready and we are at a point now where we need to play. Our guys have really worked hard and they have made each inter-squad game very competitive, so that has helped us in our preparation."
Eighteen of UAB's first 20 games will be at home and Giangrosso feels that will play a critical role in the success of the team
"We have a very attractive home schedule. We play a lot of games at home to start the season and that should help us get off to a good start. If we can get off to a good start, what we would want to do is gain momentum that would hopefully carry us into the conference schedule."
UAB will face a challenging schedule in 2003. The Blazers will face four teams that are currently ranked in one of the major collegiate baseball polls and will square off against seven NCAA Tournament Teams from the 2002 season.
"Our conference is rated fifth best in the country," Giangrosso said. "Last year, we had five teams go to the regionals. No other conference had more, with the exception of the SEC, so our conference schedule is going to be very, very tough. We have some very big conference road games this year. We go to Houston, Tulane, Southern Miss, South Florida and East Carolina, so our schedule is going to pose a lot of challenges."
UAB welcomes 17 necomers to the team in 2003. Twelve transfers and five freshmen will make up a large part of the Blazer roster (UAB has 17 players returning). Senior outfielder Kyle Leon feels the team has a good mix of veterans and newcomers.
"I think we have a great mix of players on the team, from all the newcomers to the veterans who have been around the program," said Leon.
Leon also added that the Blazer offense would be much improved in 2003. The Blazers had a strong fall season of practice at the plate. Leon led the offense in the fall, batting .384 with 17 RBI, a .529 on base percentage and six home runs. He led UAB in hits (55) and batted .309 with 22 RBI last season.
"I think the offense showed during the fall that it has improved," said Leon. "I think a combination of things got the offense going in the right direction. A lot of new guys came in and did real well. The veterans stepped it up and started to have success at the plate. I think that is going to carry over into the season for us. We are looking forward to having a lot better offensive season."
A veteran member of the outfield, Leon is excited about the group that has been assembled.
"There are some great outfielders out there that can cover a lot of ground," said Leon. "We have everything we need out there to have a good outfield. We have speed, defense and good arms, and I think that is going to help our pitching staff. The outfield will definitely be a strong part of our defense."
Senior pitcher Cody Cillo will lead the Blazer pitching staff in 2003. Cillo will be making the move from a closer to a starter this season. He posted a 2.80 ERA during the fall. Cillo led the Blazers in appearances with 27 last season.
"I think our pitching staff is going to be solid this year," said Cillo. "We have some freshmen coming in that can fill some spots and I think the seniors on the staff are really going to step it up and help us out. I think our defense overall is going to be good this year. Overall, I think we are going to have a good season. I'm looking forward to it."
